This will be a long post so be warned. It will contain a lot of hands (some NLHE, some PLO) I wanted to share. Some good, some bad to give you guys some better ideas of what I go through in a session. The main purpose of this post is to just show some newer players a more complete picture of a typical session and decisions you make. It may or may not be useful. Feel free to skip to the end if you wish.
This session was one of my worst overall actually. I didn't get paid too much on my bigs hands and made a few stupid moves out of frustration. Some other hands are in the NL section but here are ones that I believe I played correctly or I know how I played them wrong.
Party Poker Pot-Limit Omaha High, $0.25 BB (6 handed)
Button ($25.58)
SB ($25.05)
BB ($70.97)
UTG ($7.23)
Hero ($23.9)
CO ($25.15)
Preflop: Hero is MP with
,
,
,
.
UTG calls $0.25, Hero calls $0.25, CO calls $0.25, Button calls $0.25,
1 fold, BB checks.
Flop: ($1.35)
,
,
(5 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, Hero checks, CO checks, Button checks.
Turn: ($1.35)
(5 players)
BB checks, UTG checks,
Hero bets $1.35, CO folds, Button folds, BB folds, UTG folds.
Final Pot: $2.70
Results in white below:
No showdown. Hero wins $2.70.
Don't you hate to flop quads and not get paid on them? Guess what, in Omaha, its not that uncommon so see this go to waste sucks. I need to bet the turn as if I don't, I can't make it a big pot. I will take the risk that I can get someone to pay on the turn that is drawing dead rather than to continue to slowplay and hope to extract $1 on the river.
Party Poker Pot-Limit Omaha High, $0.25 BB (9 handed)
UTG+1 ($16.5)
MP1 ($24)
Hero ($35.4)
MP3 ($26.9)
CO ($25)
Button ($19.1)
SB ($24.95)
BB ($47.55)
UTG ($11.6)
Preflop: Hero is MP2 with
,
,
,
. CO posts a blind of $0.25.
UTG calls $0.25,
2 folds, Hero calls $0.25, MP3 calls $0.25, CO (poster) checks, Button calls $0.25, SB completes, BB checks.
Flop: ($1.75)
,
,
(7 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG checks, Hero checks, MP3 checks, CO checks, Button checks.
Turn: ($1.75)
(7 players)
SB checks,
BB bets $1, UTG folds, Hero calls $1, MP3 folds, CO folds, Button folds, SB folds.
River: ($3.75)
(2 players)
BB bets $1,
Hero raises to $5, BB calls $4.
Final Pot: $13.75
Results in white below:
BB has Kd 4c Jc 9d (flush, ace high).
Outcome: Hero wins $13.75.
I was actually able to get some money from this pot even though I slaughter the flop so it was hard to find someone with a hand. He did have the King so I might have gotten money earlier and wished he made a boat. I can't complain when there are so few cards out there that hit the flop that I don't have.
Party Poker Pot-Limit Omaha High, $0.25 BB (9 handed)
MP3 ($17.5)
CO ($24.25)
Hero ($24.9)
SB ($31.65)
BB ($70.27)
UTG ($20.75)
UTG+1 ($25.2)
MP1 ($47.4)
MP2 ($4.75)
Preflop: Hero is Button with
,
,
,
.
UTG calls $0.25,
1 fold, MP1 calls $0.25, MP2 calls $0.25,
1 fold, CO calls $0.25, Hero calls $0.25, SB completes, BB checks.
Flop: ($1.75)
,
,
(7 players)
SB bets $0.4, BB folds, UTG calls $0.40, MP1 calls $0.40, MP2 calls $0.40, CO folds,
Hero raises to $4.15, SB calls $3.75, UTG folds, MP1 folds,
MP2 raises to $4.5 (All-In), Hero calls $0.35, SB calls $0.35.
Turn: ($16.05)
(3 players, 1 all-in)
SB checks,
Hero bets $15.25, SB folds.
River: ($31.30)
(2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: $31.30
Results in white below:
MP2 has 8h 7s As Ts (two pair, tens and sevens).
Outcome: Hero wins $31.30.
Here's a nice little hand that I got in cheap and only really played because I was on the button and it would be easy to get away from. Luckily, the flopped nuts held which is rare in omaha.
Party Poker Pot-Limit Omaha High, $0.25 BB (10 handed)
UTG ($15.45)
UTG+1 ($26.2)
UTG+2 ($17.03)
MP1 ($15.2)
Hero ($24.4)
MP3 ($17.25)
CO ($24)
Button ($62.55)
SB ($19.25)
BB ($34.55)
Preflop: Hero is MP2 with
,
,
,
.
UTG calls $0.25,
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.25, Hero calls $0.25,
MP3 raises to $0.5, CO calls $0.50, Button calls $0.50,
2 folds, UTG calls $0.25, MP1 calls $0.25, Hero calls $0.25.
Flop: ($3.35)
,
,
(6 players)
UTG checks, MP1 checks,
Hero bets $3.2, MP3 folds, CO folds, Button calls $3.20, UTG calls $3.20, MP1 folds.
Turn: ($12.95)
(3 players)
UTG checks,
Hero bets $12.35, Button folds, UTG calls $11.75 (All-In).
River: ($37.05)
(2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: $37.05
Results in white below:
Outcome: Hero wins $37.05.
This hand is interesting because if you don't know omaha, you would think I would be happy with the flop. I actually wasn't as if I got called too much or raised, I'm likely very far behind or many cards are dangerous for me. The turn would be almost a check/fold situation as second nuts can be a terrible hand. Many times it isn't good enough and can cost you a lot. Luckily, I hit the perfect turn card and the river wasn't any help to my opponent.
Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (9 handed)
BB ($27)
UTG ($52.75)
UTG+1 ($111)
MP1 ($36.4)
MP2 ($50)
MP3 ($44.8)
CO ($50)
Button ($49)
Hero ($49.5)
Preflop: Hero is SB with
,
. CO posts a blind of $0.5.
UTG calls $0.50,
4 folds, CO (poster) checks, Button calls $0.50, Hero completes, BB checks.
Flop: ($2.50)
,
,
(5 players)
Hero bets $2, BB folds, UTG folds, CO folds, Button calls $2.
Turn: ($6.50)
(2 players)
Hero bets $4, Button calls $4.
River: ($14.50)
(2 players)
Hero bets $10, Button calls $10.
Final Pot: $34.50
Results in white below:
Hero has Ac Qc (flush, ace high).
Button has Kc 3h (one pair, kings).
Outcome: Hero wins $34.50.
Here was one of about 2 hands that actually went my way in my NLHE session. Turns out my opponent was either stupid or more likely on tilt from a decent pot he just lost. I do hate AQ though.
Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (10 handed)
MP2 ($103.27)
MP3 ($54.85)
CO ($26.4)
Button ($8.5)
SB ($37.8)
Hero ($58.05)
UTG ($49)
UTG+1 ($20.01)
UTG+2 ($10)
MP1 ($27.46)
Preflop: Hero is BB with
,
.
7 folds, Button calls $0.50, SB completes, Hero checks.
Flop: ($1.50)
,
,
(3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks,
Button bets $1, SB folds,
Hero raises to $3,
Button raises to $5,
Hero raises to $10, Button calls $3 (All-In).
Turn: ($19.50)
(2 players, 1 all-in)
River: ($19.50)
(2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: $19.50
Results in white below:
Hero has Kh Tc (two pair, kings and tens).
Button has Ks Jc (two pair, kings and twos).
Outcome: Hero wins $19.50.
Here's one where I got lucky but if this idiot had more money, it would be easy to fold it. He complained afterwards and all I said was "if you aren't so shortstacked, I might fold" His only replay "touche" In my defense, I still had plenty of outs to split at least
Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (9 handed)
SB ($19.8)
BB ($50)
UTG ($58.1)
UTG+1 ($50)
MP1 ($9.75)
Hero ($50)
MP3 ($50)
CO ($47)
Button ($28.98)
Preflop: Hero is MP2 with
,
. MP3 posts a blind of $0.5.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.50,
1 fold,
Hero raises to $2,
5 folds, UTG+1 calls $1.50.
Flop: ($5.25)
,
,
(2 players)
UTG+1 checks,
Hero bets $5, UTG+1 calls $5.
Turn: ($15.25)
(2 players)
UTG+1 checks,
Hero bets $10,
UTG+1 raises to $35,
Hero raises to $43 (All-In), UTG+1 calls $8 (All-In).
River: ($101.25)
(2 players, 2 all-in)
Final Pot: $101.25
Results in white below:
UTG+1 has 6c 6d (three of a kind, sixes).
Hero has Ad Kh (one pair, aces).
Outcome: UTG+1 wins $101.25.
Here's the ugliest hand of my session. However, there is some reasoning behind this. The opponent had a 7% preflop raise so if he had AQ, he would have raised preflop so it was down to a set or a weaker ace. He was somewhat tight so A6 and A7 seemed unlikely. AJ, AT or A9 is much more likely. Finally, in the past round and a half, he has seen me continue to bet my hands and fold to raises as I either missed or didn't have a strong enough hand to continue. Since this happened about 4 times in the last 20 hands, I felt he was making the same move so I went with it. Damnit, I have to be wrong on this big pot drawing dead. Stupid!
Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (10 handed)
UTG ($43.2)
UTG+1 ($59.45)
UTG+2 ($47.6)
MP1 ($32.55)
MP2 ($86.87)
MP3 ($54.45)
CO ($54)
Button ($44.6)
Hero ($66.5)
BB ($43)
Preflop: Hero is SB with
,
.
5 folds, MP3 calls $0.50, CO calls $0.50,
1 fold, Hero completes, BB checks.
Flop: ($2)
,
,
(4 players)
Hero bets $2,
BB raises to $5, MP3 folds, CO folds,
Hero raises to $20, BB folds.
Final Pot: $27
Results in white below:
No showdown. Hero wins $27.
Here's one I may have been too aggressive as only a made flush would call my reraise (maybe a set or a moron with 1 high diamond but I made it too expensive for them really). I'm not too upset as I would rather win the pot than let someone outdraw me but I should have made it about $16 if it mattered.
Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (10 handed)
CO ($63)
Button ($70.8)
Hero ($63.9)
BB ($26.25)
UTG ($41.25)
UTG+1 ($41.25)
UTG+2 ($55.35)
MP1 ($50.7)
MP2 ($47.17)
MP3 ($36.05)
Preflop: Hero is SB with
,
.
8 folds, Hero completes, BB checks.
Flop: ($1)
,
,
(2 players)
Hero bets $1,
BB raises to $3, Hero calls $2.
Turn: ($7)
(2 players)
Hero checks,
BB bets $6,
Hero raises to $25, BB folds.
Final Pot: $38
Results in white below:
No showdown. Hero wins $38.
Once again, I was probably too aggressive with my raise but you would be surprised how many people will call. I should have made it about $20 instead.
Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (10 handed)
Button ($63)
SB ($71.05)
Hero ($56.45)
UTG ($26.25)
UTG+1 ($49.25)
UTG+2 ($41.25)
MP1 ($55.35)
MP2 ($50.7)
MP3 ($47.17)
CO ($36.05)
Preflop: Hero is BB with
,
.
1 fold,
UTG+1 raises to $2,
7 folds, Hero calls $1.50.
Flop: ($4.25)
,
,
(2 players)
Hero checks,
UTG+1 bets $3,
Hero raises to $6, UTG+1 calls $3.
Turn: ($16.25)
(2 players)
Hero bets $10, UTG+1 folds.
Final Pot: $26.25
Results in white below:
No showdown. Hero wins $26.25.
This hand was really a read on the player. He was the other solid player at the table so I was hesitant to even call preflop out of position. He would likely raise a lead out with many hands but I thought I would see how attentive he was and play the hand like a bad player who made a set. I would never do this to a normal opponent but I thought I could actually get him to fold AK or find out cheaper if he had AA or QQ. Maybe I just think its good because it worked this time.
Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (9 handed)
CO ($54.2)
Hero ($55.65)
SB ($9.6)
BB ($52.45)
UTG ($74.65)
UTG+1 ($33.15)
MP1 ($51.85)
MP2 ($39.95)
MP3 ($27.55)
Preflop: Hero is Button with
,
.
2 folds,
MP1 raises to $3,
3 folds,
Hero raises to $10,
2 folds,
MP1 raises to $30, Hero folds.
Final Pot: $40.75
Results in white below:
No showdown. MP1 wins $40.75.
I'm still happy with the fold even though it seems a waste of a KK but I am almost positive he had AA as he was a very solid opponent and this could easily have cost a full stack. I never could even think to do this 6 months ago.
Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (9 handed)
UTG+1 ($40.35)
MP1 ($51.2)
MP2 ($24.5)
MP3 ($94.07)
CO ($74.85)
Button ($21.25)
SB ($54.55)
Hero ($54.8)
UTG ($28.25)
Preflop: Hero is BB with
,
.
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.50,
1 fold, MP3 calls $0.50, CO calls $0.50,
2 folds, Hero checks.
Flop: ($2.25)
,
,
(4 players)
Hero bets $2, MP1 folds, MP3 folds, CO calls $2.
Turn: ($6.25)
(2 players)
Hero bets $5, CO calls $5.
River: ($16.25)
(2 players)
Hero bets $10, CO calls $10.
Final Pot: $36.25
Results in white below:
Hero has Kc 4s (full house, kings full of fours).
CO has Tc Ks (three of a kind, kings).
Outcome: Hero wins $36.25.
I'm actually surprised he didn't raise me on the river which really shows he actualy thinks about what hands I have rather than a normal dumb opponent that has to raise once he has trips. If he did, he would have lost his whole stack instead of about $20.
Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (9 handed)
Button ($23.4)
Hero ($49.5)
BB ($9.8)
UTG ($47.45)
UTG+1 ($68.8)
MP1 ($55.65)
MP2 ($54.5)
MP3 ($28.67)
CO ($24.3)
Preflop: Hero is SB with
,
.
UTG calls $0.50,
1 fold, MP1 calls $0.50,
3 folds, Button calls $0.50, Hero completes, BB checks.
Flop: ($2.50)
,
,
(5 players)
Hero bets $2, BB folds, UTG folds, MP1 folds, Button calls $2.
Turn: ($6.50)
(2 players)
Hero bets $5, Button calls $5.
River: ($16.50)
(2 players)
Hero checks,
Button bets $10, Hero calls $10.
Final Pot: $36.50
Results in white below:
Hero has As Ts (one pair, aces).
Button has Jc 9c (high card, ace).
Outcome: Hero wins $36.50.
This is the hand I'm most proud of for the session. I love it when my read is dead on and I can get someone to do exactly what I want him to do. I knew he was on a flush draw the whole way and insta called his river bet knowing I would win.
Did anyone really go through all that? Well, if you did, I was trying to show a more complete picture of what kind of decisions you go through in a typical session and this was actually a pretty uneventful session. This is over approximately 1000 hands as I completed the party reload bonus but lost about $25 overall (-60 in NLHE and +35 in PLO) but was up $75 after the bonus.
So, about 12 hands (and 4 posted in the NL section) over 1000 hands. This is what its like to be me during a session. As you can see, the way I play emphasizes patience and a few bad decisions can cost you an hour or more of work so you need to pay attention. I left out about a half dozen high pocket pair hands that were either won on the flop or I had to fold on the flop and are pretty generic. Also, you can see why stealing pots are so important. If I don't steal pots and I get some bad cards, bad beats or bad plays, I could really be down a lot of money. Normally, my session would be better than this but I didn't get a lot of steal opportunities and trying to make opportunities will just be counter productive.
I know I just went on and on here but I had all these hand histories and decided to make a more complete picture for anyone that is interested in what its like. Hope at least one person found this useful.